WOOLSTENCROFT WINS EIGHTH PARA-ALPINE GOLD OF SEASON

QUERAS, FRA (January 15th, 2008) – Lauren Woolstencroft (North Vancouver, BC / Calgary, AB) won the Ladies standing category in today’s Para-Alpine World Cup giant slalom in Queras, FRA. This first place finish is Woolstencroft’s 10th podium finish of the IPC World Cup season in 10 races, including eight wins.

“Yesterday I was a little bit frustrated with second place so I’m glad that I could pick it up a bit today and win by a fairly good margin. Andrea (Rothfuss), from Germany, and I have been pretty close all year so it’s nice to know that I can step it up and be that much ahead,” said Woolstencroft.

In the Ladies sitting category Kimberly Joines (Edmonton, AB) was also victorious. Both Woolstencroft and Joines won convincingly, each grabbing top spot by about three seconds despite soft snow conditions. It snowed 23 centimeters last night which posed a potential problem early in the day.

“The course workers did a good job so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been but definitely different from Austria, which was rock hard ice. So there was a bit of an adjustment coming here,” said Woolstencroft.

In the Ladies visually impaired category, Carly Grigg (Victoria, BC) and guide Julie-Christine Roy-Ruel (Lachenaie, QC) came in fourth place, missing the podium by just over a second.

Canadian Para-Alpine Ski Team (CPAST) Alpine Director Jean-Francois Rapatel was pleased with the result.

“It’s (Grigg’s) first year on the World Cup so she still learning. She is skiing very well so far and we are really pleased with her progress. It’s more about gaining experience for her right now,” Rapatel said.

The IPC World Cup in Queras, France continues Thursday and Friday with slalom races.